How can you use resume storytelling to persuade employers?

1 What is resume storytelling?

Resume storytelling is the art of using stories to highlight your value proposition, career journey, and unique selling points. Stories are more effective than facts and figures because they appeal to emotions, create connections, and show your impact. Resume storytelling does not mean writing a novel or exaggerating your accomplishments. It means choosing relevant and specific examples that illustrate your skills, challenges, and results in a concise and captivating way.

2 Why is resume storytelling important?

Resume storytelling is important because it can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates, especially in a competitive job market. Employers receive hundreds of resumes for each position, and most of them look similar and use generic phrases. Resume storytelling can help you catch the attention of hiring managers, who spend only a few seconds scanning each resume. By telling stories that showcase your personality, values, and achievements, you can make a lasting impression and increase your chances of getting an interview.

3 How to use resume storytelling in your resume?

Using resume storytelling is a great way to showcase your accomplishments and demonstrate your value. The formula is simple: situation, action, result (SAR). Describe the situation or problem you faced, the action you took to solve it, and the result or outcome you achieved. Quantify your results with numbers, percentages, or other metrics that show your impact. Here are some tips for applying resume storytelling in different sections of your resume: In the summary section, use a brief story that summarizes your main value proposition and career goal. In the experience section, use stories that demonstrate your achievements and contributions in each role. For the skills section, tell stories that show how you applied your skills in different situations and contexts. Finally, in the education section, highlight your academic achievements and extracurricular activities with stories.

4 How to choose the best stories for your resume?

When selecting stories to include on your resume, you should consider relevance, value, and diversity. Your stories should be relevant to the job you are applying for and match the employer's expectations. Additionally, they should demonstrate your value and how you can benefit the employer by showcasing the results of your actions and how they aligned with the organization's goals. Finally, your stories should reflect a diversity of skills, experiences, and perspectives while also showing your creativity, initiative, and adaptability. Avoid repeating the same stories or using the same examples for different sections.

5 How to write engaging and memorable stories for your resume?

To write engaging and memorable stories for your resume, you should employ action verbs and descriptive language that convey your enthusiasm and passion. Utilize the STAR method to structure your stories, providing the situation, task, action, and result of each story. Additionally, use bullet points and short sentences to make your stories easy to read. Numbers and metrics can be used to quantify your results and show your impact. Furthermore, use keywords and phrases that match the job description and the employer's needs. By following these tips, you can craft an impressive resume that will stand out from the competition.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?